Messi vs Ronaldo: Man Utd legend settles GOAT debate

Patrice Evra backed Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi in the GOAT debate.

Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has shared his thoughts on the long-running debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The French legend insisted that hard work gives its former teammate the edge.

For more than a decade, Messi and Ronaldo have dominated world football, collecting individual awards, breaking records, and dividing opinion over who deserves to be considered the greatest of all time.

What Evra said

Evra, who played alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United, has made it clear where he stands.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Evra acknowledged Messi’s immense natural talent but argued that Ronaldo’s relentless dedication to improvement is what truly defines greatness.

“Anyone might have talent, but do you put in the effort?” Evra said.

He added, “Messi fans don’t like me when I say Cristiano Ronaldo is the best of his generation, but we shouldn’t compare them. However, it’s his hard work that stands out.”

Evra joined Manchester United in 2006, three years after Ronaldo’s arrival at Old Trafford, and witnessed the Portuguese forward’s rise from a promising winger to a global superstar.